Asian hornets

The Asian hornet poses a significant threat to the UK’s wildlife and the RSPB urges the public to report any sightings to the relevant authorities.

Asian hornets in Europe

Asian hornets were inadvertently brought to France in 2004, most likely in a shipment of goods imported from east Asia. Since arriving in France, the species has spread rapidly. It is now present across France and is moving into adjoining countries.

The threat

The Asian hornet is a non-native species in the UK, as it hails from east Asia and could not arrive in the UK naturally.

The concern around the Asian hornet is that it is a significant predator of bees. In France, it has consumed large numbers of bees, including the well-known European honey bee and many lesser-known solitary and colonial bee species. Nature conservation organisations, including the RSPB, are concerned about the impacts of Asian hornets on bees, as these pollinating species are an essential component of well-functioning ecosystems.

The Asian hornet is undoubtedly an invasive non-native species in France, and the evidence indicates it would be invasive in the UK too. It has been recorded in the UK on at least three occasions (as of January 2018). However, the relevant authorities swiftly eradicated these individuals.

Learn more about the Asian hornet

Learn more about how to identify an Asian hornet, and how to report a sighting, by visiting our blog.

How you can help

The Governments of the UK have robust strategies in place to respond to any reports of Asian hornets in the UK. However, the Governments can only enact these strategies once Asian hornets have been reported to them.

Consequently, the RSPB urges everyone to be vigilant for Asian hornets and to report any suspected sightings to the relevant authorities.

Full details of how to ID Asian hornets and who to report them to can be found here.